In response to Minnesota Senator Tina Smith’s federal energy efficiency standard bill introduction today, Fresh Energy’s executive director Michael Noble issued the following statement:
“Climate change poses an existential threat – not just to our environment, but to our health, our communities, and our economic well-being. The American Energy Efficiency Act of 2019, introduced today by Senators Tina Smith of Minnesota, Angus King of Maine, and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, is a critical part of the comprehensive set of solutions our nation needs to address the climate crisis and ensure that cost-effective energy efficiency continues to grow and benefit every American in every corner of the country.
Built upon Minnesota’s and twenty-five other states’ successful best practices and strategies, Senator Smith’s bill is a practical yet effective way to encourage electric and natural gas utilities to implement programs that reduce energy waste, cut consumer energy bills, and decrease the amount of climate and health-harming pollution from fossil-fuel generation. Americans are calling for 100% clean and equitable energy, and maximizing energy efficiency has been– and will continue to be– the foundation to that future.”
